Coral Mushrooms: Reproduction And Growth Secrets

Mushroom corals are known for their ease of reproduction, employing both sexual and asexual methods. In the wild, mushroom corals participate in the annual coral mass spawning event, where corals synchronously release gametes over several days following a full moon. In captivity, sexual reproduction is less common, but warmer water temperatures can induce it. Asexual reproduction, or fragmentation, involves cutting the coral in half to produce clones. Mushroom corals can also reproduce asexually through budding, where a small part of the foot or stalk extends and attaches to a rock or substrate, eventually detaching and growing into a fully formed, genetically identical mushroom coral. Additionally, they can reproduce through pedal laceration, where they leave behind pieces as they move, and fission, where a large mushroom splits into smaller ones.

Sexual reproduction

Mushroom corals reproduce both sexually and asexually, although sexual reproduction is less common in reef tanks. In the wild, corals release gametes (eggs and sperm) over a few days following a full moon. This is known as the annual "coral mass spawning" event. In aquariums, sexual reproduction is sporadic, but warmer water seems to trigger it.

Mushroom corals exhibit sexual reproductive traits that are uncommon among stony corals. They demonstrate gonochorism (separate sexes), sequential hermaphroditism (producing eggs and sperm at different life stages), and the ability to change sex multiple times. While most coral species have a single mode of sexual reproduction, some species exhibit different reproductive modes in different locations. For example, in Okinawa, Japan, F. fungites reproduces through brooding (internal fertilization), while its Australian Great Barrier Reef counterparts reproduce through broadcast spawning (external fertilization).

Asexual reproduction

Mushroom corals reproduce both sexually and asexually, although asexual reproduction is more common in reef tanks. Here are some ways in which mushroom corals reproduce asexually:

Fragmentation

Also known as fragging or propagation, fragmentation involves using a scalpel, razor blade, or sharp knife to cut the mushroom coral in half, straight down the middle, directly through its mouth. This method exploits the coral's natural ability to produce clones. Many hobbyists frequently frag their corals to improve their aquascape and create mushroom coral gardens faster.

Budding

Mushroom corals can reproduce asexually through budding, where a small outgrowth from the parent fungus grows into a new individual mushroom, also known as a fruiting body. In an aquarium setting, the mushroom coral will extend a small part of its foot or stalk away from its coral base. The tissue that is extended will then attach to a rock or substrate, detaching from its base and leaving a small piece of its foot or stalk to grow into a fully formed, genetically identical mushroom coral.

Fission

When the mushroom coral gets large, it can split itself into two or more individual mushrooms.

Laceration

When mushroom corals move, they can leave a piece behind that will grow into a new individual.

Mushrooms are also known to reproduce via spores of the fungus (mycelium) that grow and expand to form new colonies, or by producing spores that can disperse and form new colonies elsewhere. Asexual reproduction in mushrooms can also occur through the fragmentation of the mycelium, the vegetative part of the fungus that spreads underground and absorbs nutrients.

Budding

Mushroom corals, also known as Corallimorphs, are one of the easiest types of soft coral to keep as they are nearly indestructible in the right conditions. They are also known for their ability to adapt to and endure a multitude of aquarium environments and conditions. Mushroom corals reproduce in four natural ways: sexually, budding, pedal laceration, and fission.

When mushroom corals reproduce through budding, they extend a small part of their foot or stalk, away from their coral base. The tissue that is extended then attaches to a rock or substrate, detaching from its base and leaving a small piece of its foot or stalk to grow into a fully formed, genetically identical mushroom coral. This process is similar to coral cloning. The small pieces of tissue left behind by the mushroom coral will eventually grow into another mushroom coral.

A single pedestal can generate many mushroom corals. The pedestal arises from an original mushroom coral larva that settles on the reef. Adult mushroom corals release eggs or sperm into the seawater when they spawn. When these unite in fertilization, a larval stage called a planula develops. The larva drifts until it settles onto a reef surface and starts the cycle of polyp formation.

In terms of sexual reproduction, coral larvae are either fertilized within the body of a polyp or in the water, through a process called spawning. In some areas, mass coral spawning events occur one specific night per year, influenced by environmental cues such as temperature, day length, and lunar cycles.

The reproduction process in an aquarium will continue throughout the mushroom coral's life, so you can expect to have a spectacular coral display over time.

Pedal laceration

Mushroom corals can reproduce both sexually and asexually, although asexual reproduction is more common in captivity. One method of asexual reproduction is pedal laceration.

Mushroom corals can also be encouraged to reproduce asexually through a process known as "fragging" or "propagation". This involves using a scalpel, razor blade, or sharp knife to cut a mushroom coral in half, down the middle, through its mouth. This is a form of asexual reproduction that is commonly used by hobbyists to create mushroom coral gardens.

Another method of asexual reproduction is budding. When a mushroom coral reproduces via budding, it extends a small part of its foot or stalk away from its base. This extended tissue then attaches to a rock or substrate and detaches from its base, leaving a small piece of its foot or stalk to grow into a fully formed, genetically identical mushroom coral.

In addition to asexual reproduction, mushroom corals can also reproduce sexually. This occurs when adult mushroom corals release eggs or sperm into the seawater, which unite in fertilization to form a larval stage called a planula. Carried by currents, the planula drifts until it settles on a reef surface and starts the cycle of polyp formation.

Fission

Mushroom corals, also known as Corallimorphs, can reproduce through fission, in addition to sexual reproduction, budding, and pedal laceration. Fission involves the coral splitting itself into two, down the centre, a process known as bifurcation.

Mushroom corals can reproduce through asexual means, and this is the most common method of reproduction in a home aquarium. Fission is an example of asexual reproduction, as the coral splits into two genetically identical organisms. This is distinct from budding, where a small part of the foot or stalk extends away from the coral base and attaches to a rock or substrate. In the budding process, the extended tissue then detaches from the base, leaving a small piece of the foot or stalk to grow into a fully formed mushroom coral.

To encourage successful fission, the coral should be cut in half with a sharp implement, such as a scalpel, straight down the middle, through its mouth. The coral will emit a natural toxin in response to being cut, but this is not harmful. The next step is to encourage the two new fragments to attach to a rock or some rubble and heal. This can be done by placing the fragments in a container with aquarium water and rubble for a few days. Once they have attached and healed, they can be placed back in the aquarium.

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